ENHANCED RECOVERY PROGRAMMES AFTER TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT CAN RESULT IN REDUCED LENGTH OF HOSPITAL STAY WITHOUT COMPROMISING FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME

IntroductionTotal Hip Replacement (THR) is an effective treatment for end stage degenerative disease of the hip and offers patients the prospect of long term pain relief, improved joint function and quality of life. Enhanced Recovery Programmes (ERP) aim to standardise routine perioperative care, reduce hospital length of stay (LOS) and promote rapid recovery after elective surgery. The aim of this study was to determine whether the implementation of an ERP could successfully reduce the length of hospital stay associated with primary THR and whether this could be achieved without compromising the expected functional outcome or risking an increased dislocation rate.Patients/Materials & MethodsProspectively collected data on 1161 patients (611 managed with traditional rehabilitation and 550 with ERP) undergoing primary unilateral THR between 2005 and 2013 was retrospectively reviewed. Univariable statistical analysis was undertaken to identify factors that appeared to predict length of stay and a multiple l...